American Indian College Fund Taps Former Tribal College President as Chief Strategy Officer

Event summary

  • Dr. Cynthia Lindquist, former president of Cankdeska Cikana Community College, joins American Indian College Fund as Chief Strategy Officer on March 2, 2026.
  • Lindquist previously served on the College Fund’s board and led initiatives that quadrupled her college’s campus size and doubled student enrollment and completion rates.
  • Most recently, she was Director of Tribal Initiatives & Collaborations at the University of North Dakota, where she drafted a tribal consultation policy.
  • The College Fund provided $23 million in scholarships and support in 2024-25, with a total of $391 million since its founding in 1989.

The big picture

The hire of Dr. Cynthia Lindquist as Chief Strategy Officer signals a deepening focus on tribal college engagement and policy collaboration. With a background in expanding educational access and leading institutional growth, Lindquist’s appointment aligns with the College Fund’s mission to support Native higher education. Her experience in drafting tribal consultation policies and her leadership in tribal college administration suggest a strategic emphasis on governance and operational excellence within the tribal education sector.

What we're watching

Strategic Alignment
How Lindquist’s experience in tribal college leadership and policy will shape the College Fund’s engagement with tribal colleges and universities.
Operational Impact
Whether her track record of doubling student enrollment and completion rates can be replicated or scaled across the College Fund’s network.
Governance Dynamics
The pace at which Lindquist’s initiatives in partner relations and tribal engagement will advance the College Fund’s strategic goals.